Who is Nika One Piece? What is the relationship between Luffy – Joy Boy and Nika?

In the clash between Jinbe and Who’s Who, Eiichiro Oda, the author, unveiled intriguing details about an ancient deity in the One Piece world, spanning centuries – Nika, also known as the Sun God. This character is anticipated to play a pivotal role in Luffy’s future. Let’s delve into the realm of Nika in this article brought to you by POPS!

Who is the Sun God Nika?

First introduced in Chapter 1018 of the manga, Nika is the name of a legendary warrior revered as a divine being. He existed centuries ago in the world of One Piece and, according to Who’s Who, was worshipped as a god in ancient times.

Nika God is recognized as a figure with significant influence on the emancipation of ancient world slaves as they were considered his comrades. Legend has it that Nika would bring smiles to the faces of all slaves and laughter during times of hardship and adversity. However, Nika’s legend extends beyond merely bringing joy and laughter; it encompasses the liberation of all oppressed peoples worldwide. The myth has become so widespread that Nika is revered as a deity by subsequent generations of slaves, offering prayers in times of adversity.

One notable example is Who’s Who, a former member of CP9, who prayed to Nika after becoming a prisoner of the World Government following the failed protection of the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit stolen by Shanks. Who’s Who heard one of the guards recount the tale of Nika – a warrior fighting for the freedom of slaves and seeking liberation for all oppressed races, especially the Fish-Men. Consequently, Who’s Who began praying to Nika for his own freedom. Surprisingly, the protector disappeared shortly afterward, leading Who’s Who to suspect the World Government’s involvement, attempting to prevent the spread of the legend.

Fearing for his life, Who’s Who attempted a daring escape from prison, ultimately succeeding. He later joined Kaido’s Beast Pirates, becoming a member of the Tobiroppo. When encountering Jinbe, Who’s Who shared this legend, also believing in the connection between the Sun Pirates – a pirate crew primarily composed of Fish-Men – and Nika, although this has yet to be explicitly confirmed.

Devil Fruit Nika

While it’s uncertain whether the “real” Nika existed, there is a Devil Fruit belonging to the Mythical Zoan type known as the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, granting its user the abilities associated with Nika. The World Government has shown keen interest in this fruit over the centuries. To prevent others from seeking it, they erased its existence and original name from all historical records, renaming it “Gomu Gomu no Mi” and reclassifying it as a Paramecia-type.

In a twist of fate, the government lost possession of this fruit approximately 12 years ago when it was stolen by the Red-Haired Pirates. Ironically, Who’s Who, being present on the ship, failed to prevent the theft, leading to his imprisonment and subsequent discovery of Nika. This event also contributed to the circumstances where the young Luffy accidentally consumed this Devil Fruit, transforming him into the Rubber-Man we know.

The Relationship Between Luffy and Nika

During the clash with Who’s Who, Oda provided a glimpse of Nika’s silhouette. Based on its appearance, Nika bears striking similarities to the main protagonist of the story, Monkey D. Luffy. The peculiar features, such as noodle-like limbs, may be attributed to the nature of the Gomu Gomu no Mi at that time. Notably, Nika’s hair closely resembles Luffy’s.

Moreover, Nika, a legendary warrior, always present to liberate slaves from oppression with a perpetual smile, parallels Luffy – the kind-hearted, optimistic captain always ready to aid others. In places touched by Luffy, people have been liberated from oppressors, and he has strived to restore smiles to their faces. Particularly, in the Skypiea arc, Luffy nearly embodies the Sun God. When Enel attacked the island, enveloping it in clouds and blocking the sun, people prayed for a miracle. Subsequently, Luffy traversed the clouds, defeated Enel, restored sunlight, and brought back smiles.

Another significant aspect is the reverence of the Shandians, and possibly the Skypieans, for the Sun God. This is evident when Mousse, Kalgara’s daughter, declared she would meet the “Sun God” before her death.

If observed closely, Luffy’s attire during disguises in Wano and Dressrosa, both adorned with sun imagery, and his current ship, Thousand Sunny, further establish connections to the sun.

Although Oda hasn’t revealed why Nika is called the Sun God, in reality, sun gods often symbolize power and prosperity. This association may apply in the One Piece world as well, where the sun is a key to life and a source of light. Having a “warrior of liberation” linked to the sun is fitting.

Is Joy Boy the same as Sun God Nika?

According to Who’s Who’s account, Sun God Nika is a smiling warrior liberating slaves from hardship. In English, “Joy” signifies happiness, closely tied to “smiles.” Could Joy Boy be synonymous with Sun God Nika?

Joy Boy remains one of the most mysterious figures in One Piece. It wasn’t until Chapter 1044 that his story began to unfold. Ryugu Poneglyph, potentially an apology letter to Fish-Men, and Gol D. Roger expressing a desire to live in Joy Boy’s era indicate Joy Boy’s prominent role in history. Despite continuous efforts to conceal his existence, Joy Boy’s story is gradually coming to light.

Some argue that “Joy Boy” isn’t an individual but a mantle worn by anyone attempting to free the world from oppression. This notion gains support from King, suggesting Kaido might be a figure akin to Joy Boy, and Kaido doesn’t believe Luffy could be Joy Boy.

In Chapter 1044, Zunesha declared he could hear the “Drumbeat of Liberation” again, proclaiming Joy Boy’s return. This coincided with Luffy’s heartbeats and the awakening of his Devil Fruit. Additionally, the revelation about Luffy’s Devil Fruit being the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika aligns with Joy Boy’s role as a liberating warrior.

These details collectively unveil crucial aspects of the One Piece legend. Firstly, Luffy isn’t a reincarnation of Joy Boy; instead, “Joy Boy” appears to be a title bestowed upon anyone holding the power to liberate the world. Secondly, the original Joy Boy is a significant and closely related figure in the Void Century, playing a crucial role in the history of Fish-Man Island. He left invaluable items on Laugh Tale, and Nika’s story is intertwined with his.

Based on the history left by Joy Boy on Poneglyphs, it is believed that Joy Boy will return approximately 800 years after the Void Century – potentially Luffy. Nika’s involvement in the narrative becomes clearer with the recent revelations about Luffy’s Devil Fruit, solidifying Luffy as the rightful inheritor of Joy Boy and Sun God Nika.

Above is a comprehensive exploration of the Sun God Nika and the connection between Luffy, Joy Boy, and Nika. The One Piece anime continues to broadcast the latest episodes on